Basketball superstar Lauren Jackson will play three of the next five WNBL seasons with Canberra, but several other Australian stalwarts are already back home fighting off younger rivals for an Olympic spot.

Jackson, who missed over half of the recently completed WNBA season with a hip injury, will play for Canberra in the 2012-13, 2014-15 and 2015-16 WNBL seasons.

"The doctors and sports physicians are here at AIS and they've definitely brought me back from many injuries stronger and better than ever," Jackson said.

"To have the opportunity to be able to come back here again and be a part of the Australian community is wonderful."

Jackson will spend next season with Spanish club Ros Casares Valencia before the London Olympics.

The veteran centre is a integral part of Australia's bid for an elusive Olympic gold medal following second place finishes at the past three Games.

This season, a number of Opals are back in the WNBL after stints overseas.

Among them are the Sydney duo of Belinda Snell, 30, and Alicia Poto, 33, Adelaide's Jenni Screen, 29, and Bulleen's Sam Richards, 28, who has been named WNBL player of the week for the opening round.

With a host of tall athletic younger players pressing for Olympic selection, former Opals and current Great Britain coach Tom Maher says it's a wise move for the experienced players to return home.

"Because I think the older generation of Australian player is under siege by quite frankly a lot of better athletes," said Maher, who coaches defending WNBL champion Bulleen.

"People like Hanna Zavecz and Rachel Jarry, six foot three, runners, jumpers.

"They used to be post players, now they are perimeter players, they are coming to take your spot.

"It will be very interesting, they are physically stronger, they jump higher, they've got longer arms and they run faster.

"Now you are an older player, you've got to match that with nous and experience."

Maher was particularly looking forward to the matchup this Saturday between Richards and Bendigo's long-time Opals starting point guard Kristi Harrower.

"Harrower against Richards, that's got to be tantalising," Maher said.

"There's no question Kristi has been the best point guard in Australia for ten years.

"She's been one of the best point guards - in the top four in the world - in that time.

"I would have no hesitation in putting my hand on my heart in saying that, but she's getting to the end of her career, but Sam is coming towards the apex of her career.

"Kristi doesn't like anybody trying to take her patch, so it's going to be a fantastic match-up."

Adrian Warren and Matt Sadler
AAP